How learning happens in the brains of sleeping babies

Dozing in a bassinet, a newborn wears a stretchy cap fitted with more than 100 soft electrodes. A low beep sounds, and she squints. Nearby, scientists watch jagged lines moving across a computer screen, recording electrical activity in the infant's brain. The scientists want to know what's going on in there — and that tiny squinting action suggests that the baby has been learning while she sleeps.

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Coronavirus: Trump suspends European travel as global recession fears intensify

Donald Trump has banned travel to the US from most of Europe – apart from the UK and Ireland – for 30 days in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The move failed to stem heavy losses on financial markets and prompted one top economist to warn that a global recession was now "highly probable".

In a sombre primetime address from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening, the US president boasted that the travel ban and series of other measures designed to cushion the economic blow of the outbreak amounted to "the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in history".

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MEDIA SUBSCRIBE AUDIO HUB ‘Save peace while it lasts,’ says General Assembly President, ahead of UN summit on sustaining peace

"By preventing conflict, we save human lives and we also save billions of dollars," said Assembly President Miroslav Lajčák, in a recent interview with UN News. "Therefore, we have to focus on prevention of conflicts rather than consequences of conflicts. We have to save peace while it lasts, not to deal with the situation once peace is lost."

"There is no development, there is no protection of human rights, if there is no peace," Mr.  Lajčák stressed, recalling the UN was created to achieve peace and the first sentence of the UN Charter is about saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war.

The High-Level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace will take place at UN Headquarters in New York on 24 and 25 April, bringing together leaders of countries, UN entities and civil society.

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What causes dizziness when bending over?

Feeling dizzy when bending over is a common occurrence. Most causes of dizziness or lightheadedness are not serious, although some causes may require medical attention.

A person should see a doctor if the dizziness is frequent or severe enough to interfere with daily activities. A doctor will be able to help a person determine and treat the underlying cause.

According to some studies, feeling dizzy is one of the most commonly reported medical complaints. It becomes increasingly common after age 60 and is also more common in women than men.

In this article, we look at ten possible causes of dizziness when bending over.

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THE RICH CULTURE OF SINHALA AT STC IN YEARS GONE BY...

Please see Sinhala article: Tyretracks blog
While our Alma Mater, S Thomas' College, celebrates its 100 years at Mt Lavinia, here I take the liberty to capture the essence of a rich Sinhala culture that existed alongside the English, Tamil, Latin and Greek language scholarship that permeated the lives of students, thanks to the indefatigable services rendered by teachers, such as, Kalasuri Arisen Ahubudu, (Writer, poet, Sinhala lyricist, author, scholar, playwright, teacher and orator), Sandedas Coperahewa, (Poet, author, journalist and teacher) of the Hela Havula, father of Prof. Sandagomi Coperahewa, to name a few, whose memories we still cherish.

Even though this era was well known for its richness in English, Latin and Greek, with much familiarity with William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Milton, we also loved Sidath Sangara, Amawathura, Salalihini Sandeshaya and Guththilaya. We were regular readers of "Subasa" ( The Subasa paved the way for the resurgence of a literary tradition that proved the efficacy of the Sinhala language to express any idea lucidly, succinctly and proficiently) and trekked to Ahubudu's residence at Mt Lavinia, for basic Pali lessons. My advice to students is to be proficient both in the mother tongue and English, for success in life. Here is a short appreciation I wrote a few days ago in Sinhala for someone who wanted an article. " Esto Perpetua" 

The 12 Psychology Studies of Christmas

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We all want a happy Christmas (or cultural equivalent), but how do we get it? This research into happiness and Christmas suggests that a focus on spending and consumption is associated with less happiness while family and religious experiences are associated with more happiness. Not exactly earth-shattering, but satisfying to quote to little Billy when he complains about his presents.

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Virus-free. www.avg.com

A Beautiful Mind Seminar 2 Sept 10 am BMICH

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